Atco Lake Dam dam
Atco Lake Dam
Atco Lake Dam, located in Waterford Township, Camden County, New Jersey, is a local government-owned structure that serves primarily for recreational purposes. The dam, situated on Hays Mill Creek, stands at a height of 8 feet and has a length of 800 feet, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 85 acre-feet and a surface area of 22 acres. Despite its small size, the dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential, although its condition was assessed as satisfactory during the last inspection in July 2020.
Managed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Atco Lake Dam is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam has not undergone any modifications since its construction, and there are no associated structures or outlet gates. In the event of an emergency, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) may be prepared, although details on its existence and compliance with guidelines are currently unavailable. With a risk assessment and management measures pending, the dam's potential impact in case of failure underscores the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of downstream communities and the environment.
The location of Atco Lake Dam in a densely populated area and its proximity to the city of Atco highlight the importance of maintaining its integrity and functionality. As climate change continues to affect water resources and weather patterns, the role of dams in mitigating floods and providing water supply becomes increasingly crucial. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Atco Lake Dam serves as a case study in the management of small-scale dams and the need for proactive risk assessment and emergency preparedness to safeguard communities and ecosystems in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Atco Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Great Egg Harbor R Nr Sicklerville Nj | 4 cfs | → |
| Great Egg Harbor R Nr Blue Anchor Nj | 16 cfs | → |
| Great Egg Harbor River At Folsom Nj | 34 cfs | → |
| Little Ease Rn Nr Clayton Nj | 2 cfs | → |
| Cooper River At Haddonfield Nj | 8 cfs | → |
| Mullica River Near Batsto Nj | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Atco Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lakeside Avenue 440, Deptford
- Creek Road Bellmawr
- Harding Highway Pittsgrove Township
- Centerton Road Elmer
- Frankford Arsenal
- Tacony Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Atsion - Wharton State Forest
- Lower Forge Camp
- Mullica River Campground
- Batona Camp
- Indian Branch Park Campground
- Buttonwood Hill Camp
Fishing spots
Track Atco Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Atco Lake Dam
Where does the data for Atco Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Atco Lake Dam.